Ryggs Johnston

A mere six months into his professional career, and outside the top 950 in the world rankings, Ryggs Johnston caused a huge upset by capturing December’s ISPS Handa Australian Open.

Three Royal Portrush places were on offer at the event in the first leg of The Open Qualifying Series.

The former Arizona State University student won by three strokes to follow an illustrious list of American champions in the event which includes seven Champion Golfers - Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Gene Sarazen, Mark Calcavecchia, Bill Rogers and Jordan Spieth.

Just to be eligible to play he had to survive all three legs – 14 rounds in all – of the DP World Tour qualifying school, starting in France in September and ending in Spain two weeks before the Australian Open.

He then came joint 43rd on his tour debut at the BMW Australian PGA Championship, but because of bad weather did not even manage a practice round at Kingston Heath prior to the four days which changed his life.

All his previous tournaments since leaving the amateur ranks were on the PGA Tour Americas and he started them last June ranked 4,502nd.